IC Khari

Actually it's just the title I object to (with our history we need not crow), if it's not his choice then I'll cut him some slack.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/02/25/blue-bombers-won-free-agency/ DARREN CAMERON BLUEBOMBERS.COM SHARE The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a bold statement this February, invigorating their roster and fan base with an influx of star signings. Director of Communications and Media Relations Darren Cameron saw it all first-hand, from the signing of hometown star Andrew Harris to the additions of former rivals Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith. In his latest blog, he writes how it all went down. A lot has changed since I last wrote, and we definitely believe for the better. Free agency week was a busy one, with almost every player GM Kyle Walters had pegged agreeing to terms. It’s an intense 12 hours or so, being hunkered down in Kyle’s office while everyone works their phones in pursuit of multiple players. Some don’t take a long time to make a decision at all, some want to speak with the head coach before making their call, and some just wait out the process. An almost unanimous determining factor when talking one-on-one with our new acquisitions was a desire to play for Coach Mike O’Shea. This is sometimes talked about, but it really bears mentioning just how important that is. Andrew Harris, Ryan Smith, Jeff Keeping and Justin Medlock all made mention on multiple occasions, both privately and publicly, that Mike was a major factor in deciding to come to Winnipeg. To be honest, a few of those guys quite possibly would have gone elsewhere had it not been for him. RELATED Checking Down: First half key for Bombers Bombers release Peach, Cotton 2016 schedule RELEASED Smith feeling at home with Bombers Buy: Bombers season tickets The Euclid Cummings signing stands out from the flurry of activity that day: a guy who had been talked about for a while, but someone who we didn’t hear back from until well into the afternoon. Rightfully so, he was taking in all offers, gathering information (haven’t had a chance to meet him, but he seems like a very bright guy), and trying to make the best decision possible. It was about 3:00 p.m. when Stanley Bryant sent me a text, “Are we done for today?” I replied we were waiting to hear on Euclid Cummings, to which he replied “Jace knows him.” Sometimes, this is all it takes, one push from another teammate. I relayed the information to Kyle, who immediately requested that we ask Jace to reach out to Euclid. They know each other from their time in Tampa with the Buccaneers. It didn’t sound like they had talked in a while, but I sent Jace Euclid’s number, and a short time later Jace confirmed they had touched base. An hour or so later, Euclid’s agent called Kyle and confirmed Euclid was coming to Winnipeg. I asked Euclid the other day if Jace’s assurance of our franchise is what sealed it: “It definitely helped make my decision,” said Cummings. “I had talked to a couple of former players as well, and all of them had nothing but great things to say about the organization.” Euclid Cummings adds some much-needed muscle to the middle of the Bombers’ D-line The excitement around the organization after free agency has definitely had a positive impact on ticket sales, as both renewals and new season tickets have seen a jump in the past two weeks. Great to see. The day after signing, Ryan Smith drove up for the day from his home in Fargo, N.D.. He arrived at the stadium just before noon, an hour prior to his scheduled media conference. We showed him around the facility and ended the tour outside the door of the head coach’s office. Ryan is Mike’s kind of player – hard-nosed, tough and willing to do whatever it is going to take to win. I knew Mike would immediately take a liking to him. The two met for half an hour, had some lunch, then Ryan met the Winnipeg media in the Press Room down the hall. He’s a quieter guy, but seems very focused and a real pro. He was grinning through his entire press conference, and then through two more interviews after that. We offered to have him stay the night at a downtown hotel, but he politely told us he would drive back to Fargo. After all, he had a workout scheduled the next morning. The next day, Winnipeg-born Andrew Harris flew in from Vancouver. I could sense the excitement in his voice from the second I called him on free agency day. He landed in Winnipeg around 3pm and had a busy few days planned. Bombers new starting running back Andrew Harris Scott Brown – the Winnipeg Jets’ Senior Director of Corporate Communications – had extended an offer for Andrew to come to the game that night, and the TSN broadcast had an interview lined up with him midway through the first period. He tossed on his #33 Byfuglien jersey (the same number Andrew will wear as a Bomber), and took his mom to her first ever Jets game. He posed for pictures, signed multiple autographs, gave the cheering crowd a wave when welcomed on the scoreboard, and drew the 50/50 number later in the night. Andrew and I were acquaintances before all of this, but the one thing I quickly got from him is that he is very excited to be a Bomber. A three-hour photo shoot Friday morning? Sure. An appearance later on Friday afternoon? Absolutely. A two-hour autograph signing Saturday to meet some fans? Would love to. The line-up for autographs that morning snaked around the store and out the doors, and he seemed as happy to meet the fans as they were to meet him.

It's gonna be "Uuuuuuuge!"

Dale Weise, Mark and Michael Stone all played for the Thrashers so they've been around awhile ...

Relax ...

Back to new CFL unis ... as mentioned, if the new threads are out in May and they are the classic design, I wonder if the team will eventually go to a third jersey. The mid 2000's gold jersey (trimmed in Royal Blue instead of Navy of course) would be OK with me if they ever decided to do that.

That's not the only thing different about this thread ...

Phil Sykes takes on Gretzky and Kurri LOL ...

Bring back the Philmster!

7 pages of nothing ... the Seinfeld Thread!

Man I wish we still had Stuart to play on the PK, would make the tanking so much easier ...

I tried contacting him to clarify ... he's on vacation.

Weeeeeeee ...

Is Trouba's secret that he's not as good as they thought when they drafted him? It's not a secret anymore if that's the case ...

Trust me LOL ...

Ummmm ... no ...

SWEET!

Excellent ...

I'm "positive" this thread will not remain positive ...

PP goal! 2 - 1 Florida ... Sweet! I mean, that's too bad ...